Man shot during alleged robbery attempt now in stable condition

Wednesday

Mar 20, 2013 at 5:08 PM

“I didn't want to shoot him, but I had to. I shot him,” said 81-year-old James Stevens.

By Austin L. MillerStaff writer

OCALA – A man who was shot while reportedly trying to rob an elderly man remains hospitalized, according to officials.Lonnie Lorenza Hollingsworth Jr. was listed in stable condition on Wednesday, sheriff's officials said.During his hospital stay, the 28-year-old Ocala man has been interviewed by Detective Rhonda Stroup and he denied trying to rob 81-year-old James Stevens on March 10. His recollection of the incident, authorities said, is hazy.Though the investigation is on-going, it appears the intended target will not face any criminal charges officials said based on the information they currently have.Reached by phone Wednesday, Stevens was hesitant to discuss the incident but said if occurred after he dropped off two men who work for him. At some point, he noticed a car was following him.Stevens said he pulled over in a field in the 5500 block of Northwest 2nd Place and the vehicle behind him also stopped. As the driver of the other vehicle approached, Stevens grabbed his revolver and stepped out of the vehicle. Stevens said the man demanded he give him everything he had, but Stevens said he told the man he didn't have anything.Stevens shot the man, later identified as Hollingsworth, once in the abdomen.“I didn't want to shoot him, but I had to. I shot him,” he said,Hollingsworth was taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center in critical condition.